CONSOLING MOMENT – An unidentified supporter greets 10th Congressional District candidate Robert O’Leary with a hug as he enters the Island Merchant in Hyannis after losing to Norfolk County D.A. Bill Keating in Tuesday’s primary election.

By the time 10th Congressional District candidate Robert O’Leary arrived to a standing-room only crowd of supporters Tuesday night at the Island Merchant in Hyannis, he had lost the election to Norfolk County District Attorney Bill Keating, who was already transmitting his victory via the television set behind the bar.

O’Leary’s arrival nonetheless momentarily lifted the funk that had settled on those who had milled around in antsy anticipation wondering when their candidate would join them. It was about 11:15 p.m. when he did. He was greeted by lengthy applause as he walked through the door and instantly flooded by TV lights and still-camera flashes.

There were a few initial hugs and handshakes as photographers and fans jostled at the entrance, and then the required but brief words of appreciation, none of which could mask a palpable disappointment that hung in the room like a faded painting.

“I just want to thank you all. I’m proud of the campaign…the positive campaign. We came close. We needed more time,” he said.

But what his campaign really needed was more voter turnout on the Cape and Islands.

While he didn’t say so, demographics and partisan energy levels apparently did him in. There simply were more votes cast in Keating’s favorite-son portion of district than there were on Cape Cod, where O’Leary did very well, taking 73 percent of the vote.

O’Leary’s future forays into civic service were left hanging, however, as he told supporters, “We’ll have time to do other things and take up other causes,” without being specific.

But the pep talk was more significant FOR what it didn’t say: Will O’Leary unleash his forces to help Bill Keating keep the district in the Democrat column?